Hlophe not planning to pursue Judge Parker for being dishonest about assault claim
Two weeks ago, the Judicial Conduct Tribunal found Parker guilty of gross misconduct for giving it contradictory versions of the alleged assault when Hlophe was still the judge president of the Western Cape High Court.
FILE: The MK Party's parliamentary leader, John Hlophe. Picture: @MKParliament/X
CAPE TOWN - The parliamentary leader for the uMkhonot weSizwe (MK) Party, John Hlophe, said he does not plan to pursue his former colleague, Judge Mushtak Parker, for being dishonest about allegedly being assaulted by him.
Two weeks ago, the Judicial Conduct Tribunal found Parker guilty of gross misconduct for giving it contradictory versions of the alleged assault when Hlophe was still the judge president of the Western Cape High Court.
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Hlophe said it’s for the National Assembly to decide whether to act against Parker should the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommend he be impeached.
Parker had two complaints lodged against him - one from 10 judges related to the alleged assault incident involving Hlophe and the other related to the misappropriation of clients’ funds at his law firm when he was an attorney.
Parker had alleged to other judges that Hlophe pushed him against a cupboard in his chambers in an altercation over Hlophe’s ex-wife, also a judge at the court.
Parker later retracted that story.
Hlophe said the finding of the tribunal suffices for him.
“I don’t have any comments, but I’m glad to the extent that the judgment has completely exonerated me. That’s my understanding.”
While his impeachment was unrelated to the Parker matter, Hlophe said he’s still pursuing a legal challenge related to his removal from the judiciary in February 2024.
“Hopefully, we will have a date soon so that matter can be heard because I've challenged my impeachment in the courts.”
Hlophe was impeached for allegedly trying to influence a Constitutional Court case against former President Jacob Zuma, who now leads the party Hlophe represents in Parliament.